But Prime Minister Tony Abbott has cautioned against "Vegemite watch", saying that suggestions of spying on customers and tipping off police to suspicious Vegemite purchases were not appropriate.

He told reporters at a press event: "The last thing I want to do is have a Vegemite watch.

"Vegemite, quite properly, is for most people a reasonably nutritious spread on your morning toast or on your sandwiches."

Scullion, the Indigenous Affairs Minister, said: "Our priority has always been to get kids to school, make communities safer and get people into jobs. Businesses in these communities have a responsibility to report any purchase that may raise their own suspicions."